In Week One, the Buccaneers looked like a team on the rise, while the Cardinals looked like a team on the decline.
Week Two always serves as a good reminder not to overreact to Week One.
Today in Arizona, the Cardinals whipped the Bucs 40-7, in a blowout that was a beautiful sight to Arizona fans and ugly beating for Tampa Bay. The game was never close, as the Cardinals scored early and often. The blowout could have been even worse; Arizona backed off late in the game.
After Jameis Winston looked so good in Week One, he struggled in Week Two, throwing four interceptions (including one on a Hail Mary on the last play of the game), losing a fumble and getting sacked three times. The Bucs can’t afford to have any more five-turnover games from Winston.
Carson Palmer was excellent for Arizona, throwing for 308 yards and three touchdowns, with no turnovers. It was a big game for Palmer, who had a strong season end in disappointment last year and who didn’t quite get things turned around in Week One.
Just as we shouldn’t overreact to Week One, we shouldn’t overreact to Week Two, either. This game doesn’t mean Winston is a bad quarterback or the Bucs are a bad team, nor does it mean Palmer will play at an MVP level and lead the Cardinals to the title. There’s still a lot more football to be played.
But the Cardinals looked great today, and the Bucs looked lousy. That’s quite a turnaround from a week ago.